Race For The Heisman Already Under Way

August 17, 1988|By Tim Povtak of The Sentinel Staff

It was an irresistible photo opportunity, and typical of the hype the Heisman Trophy will generate. Running back Emmitt Smith, the top returning vote-getter from last season, was posing with the trophy former University of Florida star Steve Spurrier had won in 1966.

After five minutes of various poses, though, for a dozen photographers at Florida Field, Smith set down the trophy for a rest. He had broken out in a sweat.

''Geez, this thing is heavy,'' he said with surprise and a bit of a laugh. ''I don't know if I want to win it or not. I know one thing: If I do win it, I'm going to take 295-pound offensive lineman David Williams with me to help carry it around.''

Smith, who finished ninth in the balloting after a phenomenal freshman season, discovered two critical facts during the picture-taking session last week.

First, the Heisman Trophy is not to be taken lightly. Secondly, no one can carry it, or win it, without big help from teammates.

Although the balloting -- 1,050 sports writers and broadcasters vote -- often is maligned as political and nothing more than a popularity contest, it remains the most coveted, glamorous award in college football, signifying the game's finest player.

From the first winner, Jay Berwanger of the University of Chicago, to the last, Tim Brown of Notre Dame, they have been both talented and well promoted. It is the same with this year's preseason leaders, who include Florida State running back Sammie Smith, UCLA quarterback Troy Aikman, Alabama running back Bobby Humphrey and Texas running back Eric Metcalf.

The award won't be announced until December, but the race is already well under way. Costly publicity campaigns, consisting of posters, brochures, newsletters and even videotapes, started in the spring.

When the season starts, with Nebraska playing Texas A&M in the Kickoff Classic on Aug. 27, the favorites already will have been identified.

The leading candidates in '88:

Humphrey, senior running back, Alabama. Although he broke his left foot during spring drills and his jaw during the summer, Humphrey is ready to become the first Heisman Trophy winner in the storied history of Alabama football.

After rushing for 1,255 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, he finished 10th in the balloting. This year he also will try to become the first three- time All-America selection at Alabama.

Aikman, senior quarterback, UCLA. Depending upon his season, Aikman could be the first player drafted by the NFL in 1989. He transferred from Oklahoma after breaking his leg during his sophomore season. That was the best decision he ever made.

Aikman is a big, strong, pure passer (6 feet 4, 217 pounds) unsuited for Oklahoma's running game but perfect for the pro set at UCLA. Last season he completed 178 of 273 passes (65 percent) for 17 touchdowns and 2,354 yards.

Metcalf, senior running back, Texas. An all-purpose back, Metcalf carries the ball, catches it and returns kicks. He finished third in the nation last season in all-purpose yards with 175 per game.

He rushed for 1,161 yards, caught 33 passes and scored 10 touchdowns. He also is the son of former NFL great Terry Metcalf, which helps his name recognition.

Sammie Smith, junior running back, Florida State. Playing for the preseason No. 1-ranked team can help. Playing for a team that has more than enough quality running backs hurts. Smith may not get enough carries to roll up the biggest numbers, but he may be the best player of all.

Last season he carried just 172 times for 1,230 yards (7.1-yard average) and 11 touchdowns. He is 6-2, 220 pounds, big enough to run over people and fast enough (9.5 in the 100-yard dash) to run by them. If he gets off to a fast start in the nationally televised opener against Miami, he might be tough to catch.

Emmitt Smith, sophomore running back, Florida. Smith is coming off a phenomenal season, becoming only the third freshman -- Herschel Walker and Tony Dorsett are the others -- to rush for more than 1,300 yards. Smith finished with a school-record 1,341 yards,despite hardly playing the opening game. Being a sophomore will hurt his chances.

Rodney Peete, senior quarterback, USC. Peete joins cross-town rival Aikman in the Heisman chase. He can pass on the run as well as from the pocket, making him double trouble for opposing defenses.

He passed for 2,460 yards and ran for another 279 last season.

Darrell Thompson, junior running back, Minnesota. Thompson rushed for 1,229 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, third best in the Big Ten Conference.

Others who should be considered in the Heisman race are Steve Taylor, quarterback at Nebraska; Chuck Hartlieb, quarterback at Iowa; Todd Ellis, quarterback at South Carolina; Tom Hodson, quarterback at LSU; Jamelle Holieway, quarterback at Oklahoma; and Steve Walsh, quarterback at Miami.

''The Heisman is not something you go into the season thinking about,'' Sammie Smith said. ''My job is to play as well as I can and then see what happens. I'd much rather see Florida State win the national championship than me win the Heisman.''